I can't understand why the price is still low on these when I can only find about 1 per 5000 count bag. I have similar questions about the 1939-D and 1942-S.
At the time the 1955-S cents were horded because San Fransisco was to stop coining cents after 1955. This along with a low (by 1950's standards) mintage, removed many of them from circulation. They are valued where they are because the many coins hoarded ensure that supply will always exceed demand. At least for the near future.
It differs, I find plenty 42-D and 39-D. not many 55-S It differs, I find plenty 42-D and 39-D. not many 55-S - they were saved and now are common, at least in BU, Unc. It really depends on what you get - if you ever get a chance at a real "Unsearched" group of wheats you'll see very different results but not in regards to 55-S's. I get groups from mom and pops that they saved (owned a store or something) and you find everything but 55-S (much) they were saved then and that is the result. The lastest group I went through was 7000 all put up in 2x2's - did not matter date/mint or grade plus all in 20 pocket pages from people who owned a store near here during 40's and 50's and just saved everything - found 13-D's 15-D & S's 24-D pages of 1916 P,D, & S's all from poor to VF-35 even XF but even in that group only 20 or so 55-S's. Other hard ones seems to be 41-S, 49-S, of course 31-D & 22-D, 26-S and 14-S. Please trust me on this one - if sold thru dealer or other collectors 99% of the time they are not unsearched at all - keep working and you will get the chance at some good ones they are out there!
Seriously? I find them quite common. I do live in SF but with 11000 wheaties in my collection I would say that the 1955-S is in even proportions with other coins except semi-key and key dates. Plus most of my wheaties are after 1941. So Its harder to find pre1942 wheaties IMHO.
Here on the east coast the 55-S is one I mostly have to purchase. Bought a few nice ones in BU for about $2.50 each. The 1939-D is also tough.
Sounds like Yogi Berra years ago when he said "a dime ain't worth a nickel anymore". The 55S cents and dimes were hard to find circulating in SoCal during the fifties and sixties--too many were hoarded.
Thats interesting to see that different coins are still scarse in different areas after all these years.
